Looking to change out your 2013 Jeep Wrangler stereo system in our own garage? Check out Jerry’s guide on how to do it, and the best Jeep aftermarket radios.

Written by Natalie Todoroff

Reviewed by Melanie Reiff

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

Table of Contents

How to change the radio on a 2013 Jeep Wrangler
The best aftermarket car stereo head units for a 2013 Jeep Wrangler
How to save on Jeep Wrangler insurance costs

Looking for a 2013 Jeep Wrangler stereo upgrade? In order to replace your radio, you’ll first need to remove the OEM one from the dashboard. After that, you can install a new aftermarket one.

You don’t need us to tell you how well-loved Jeeps are. After all, what other vehicle can boast that its drivers all have a not-so-secret wave they do when seeing a fellow Jeep driver out in the wild? While we could go on and on about everything drivers love about the American automaker, some makes and models leave a little something to be desired.

This is especially the case with the 2013 Jeep Wrangler. While drivers love it for its excellent off-road capabilities and mighty V6 engine, its stereo system could definitely use some improvement.

Jerry

, the super app drivers trust to find them great deals on

Jeep Wrangler car insurance

, is here to walk you through the process of how to swap out your OEM stereo with a Jeep Wrangler aftermarket radio and how to save big on your

car insurance

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How to change the radio on a 2013 Jeep Wrangler

A 2013 Jeep Wrangler radio replacement may sound intimidating, but it’s easy enough to at home with a screwdriver; a socket wrench; and, of course, your new radio. If you don’t know where to begin shopping for one, we’ll give you our top picks a little later on.

To replace your factory radio, you’ll first need to remove the dashboard trim panel that surrounds it, then unscrew the four bolts that hold the radio in place. After that, you can install your aftermarket stereo of choice.

1. Prep your vehicle

Before we dive in, first make sure your Wrangler is primed and ready for a radio replacement. If your radio has a CD port, make sure to eject or

remove any stuck CDs

. After that, park your vehicle and turn off the ignition.

2. Remove the vents

Remember how we mentioned that you’ll need to remove the dashboard trim panel? It doesn’t just house your radio; it also has three A/C vents on it as well. To remove the radio, you’ll first need to remove the vents to the left of your steering wheel and directly below the radio.

To do so, position the vent shutters until you see a small square hole in the rim of the vent housing. Grab your screwdriver, insert it into the locking mechanism, and press down. While doing this, turn the vent counterclockwise to release the lock. After that, you should be able to slide the vents out.

3. Remove the power window switch

You will also need to remove the power window switch, located in the center of your dashboard, in order to get to the bolts that secure the dashboard panel. To do so, reach through the holes left by the two central vents and pop the release switches on either side of the switch assembly.

This will allow you to pull the switch out and access the red locking mechanism on the side to disconnect the wiring.

MORE:

8 top Jeep Wrangler competitors

4. Unscrew the first two 7mm bolts

Next, you’ll need to remove two different bolts: one directly under the power switch you just removed, and one underneath the rubber liner in the storage tray on top of the dashboard.

To remove the latter, you’ll need to pop out the rubber liner, remove the bolt, and keep track of where you put that bolt. It’ll come in handy when you’re installing your aftermarket stereo!

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5. Remove the 7mm bolts by the steering wheel

Now, we’ll need to turn our attention to the steering column. There are two more 7mm bolts on either side of it that we’ll need to remove.

To access these bolts, you’ll need to unsnap the panel at the base of the steering wheel from the top and swing it out from its bottom hinges. With the panel removed, you'll be able to remove the bolts on the left and right sides of the steering wheel.

6. Remove the trim panel

The moment we’ve been waiting for: it’s finally time to pop off the trim panel and access your radio! The panel should come off with a little gentle wigging, but you can lower the steering column if you need a little help with it.

7. Uninstall the radio

With the trim panel out of the way, you’re able to disconnect the radio. In order to fully remove it, you’ll have to unscrew four more 7mm bolts and disconnect the cables in the back.

If you’re ready to get your new, souped-up stereo system into your 2013 Jeep Wrangler, just follow these steps in reverse and you should be all set! That said, certain aftermarket sound systems require some system rewiring to your vehicle before they’re able to be installed. If that’s the case with your new stereo, you’re better off leaving the installation to a professional.

MORE:

How to find your Jeep radio code

The best aftermarket car stereo head units for a 2013 Jeep Wrangler

Unfortunately, you won't find any Jeep Wrangler radio replacements on Jeep’s OEM website. If you’re looking for a bare-bones radio-only sound system or something tech-savvy enough to be hooked up to a backup camera, you’ll need to go aftermarket.

Below are our top picks for the 2013 Jeep Wrangler.

Best stereo for multiple media sources: Alpine UTE-73BT

With a wired USB connection, the

Alpine UTE-73BT

can grant both iPhone and Android users access to their favorite songs and podcasts at the touch of a button—literally! Instead of reaching for your phone (which we wouldn’t recommend when driving!), you can skip, pause, and repeat tracks using buttons on the dash.

Pandora lovers, this one is especially great for you. This radio comes equipped with built-in Pandora streaming so not only can you pause and play from the dash, but also give a song a thumbs up/thumbs down so you won’t need your phone in order to guide the streaming algorithm to a sweet spot.

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Best stereo with smartphone compatibility: Pioneer MVH-S322BT

The

Pioneer MVH-S322BT

is great for those who want a stereo that will allow them to not only play music from their phones but also take calls and use their phone's built-in navigation systems. With their button layout, it’s easier than ever to toggle between all these features without having to take your eyes off the road.

MORE:

Best stereo with backup camera compatibility: JVC KD-X560BT

Ok, the

JVC KD-X560BT

doesn’t come with a backup camera, but if you want to purchase one, it can work with this stereo system! Once you get it wired and connected, you can display a live backup camera feed to the 3” screen. At $199.95, it’s the most expensive one on our list, but for Wrangler owners who like to off-road, it may be worth the investment.

Best budget radio replacement: Jensen MPR2121

Rounding out our list is the

Jensen MPR2121

. For $59.99, you get quite the bang for your buck: Bluetooth for media and phone calls, push-to-talk smartphone assistance (aka, you can summon Siri at the touch of a button), and you can link your smartphone to your stereo through the J-Link P2 app.

MORE: The 12 best Jeep accessories

How to save on Jeep Wrangler insurance costs

Depending on the kind of aftermarket stereo you get, you may want to consider adding

sound system coverage

to your

car insurance

policy. After all, aftermarket sound system theft is a serious problem—and if you make a big investment to upgrade your car, you’ll want to protect that investment.

With

Jerry

, you can customize your policy in minutes. Gone are the days of poring over endless piles of paperwork and waiting on hold for hours with your insurance provider. With our

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, you can get the job done on your smartphone and save money in the process.

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